Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin says Corey Norman will keep his position in the team

Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin says Corey Norman's place in the side is safe despite his decision to move to the Eels. Picture: Mark EvansSource:The Daily Telegraph

COREY Norman's position in the Broncos team is safe as long as he continues to play well, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin says.

Norman yesterday told the Broncos he had signed a three-year deal with Parramatta, but while Norman is a young talent the club has invested heavily in there will not be a repeat of Brisbane's treatment of Justin Hodges in 2001.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett then dropped Hodges to reserve grade later in the 2001 season after he had signed with the Sydney Roosters.

Griffin said he told Norman his decision to leave for western Sydney would not impact his chances of selection this season.

"I had a chat to him about that, if he plays well and contributes to the team he's still an important part of our team for this season," Griffin said.

The Broncos thought Norman was odds-on to stay late last week before the Eels bumped their offer at the last minute, cruelling Griffin's long-term vision for the club's backline.

Broncos officials truly believed in Norman's talent and although he is playing fullback he was positioned to be the club's five-eighth from 2014 onwards.

Now they must redraft their blueprints and find a playmaker.

"It is terribly disappointing to lose him," Griffin said.

"We put a lot of time and effort into producing players but that's modern football and the salary cap is there to share talent.

"We have done all we can within our powers to keep him here."

The Eels have chewed up more than $400,000 of their yearly salary cap on Norman for the next three seasons.

They missed out on Matt Scott, James Tamou and Josh Papalii before signing the talented utility.

Papalii put pen to paper with the Eels only to have a change of heart a week later and extend his contract with his club, Canberra.

The Eels were so concerned Norman might follow Papalii's lead and renege on the deal their press release yesterday included quotes from Norman pledging to honour the contract.

"I understand that under the NRL rules I have until round 13 to change my mind, but I just wanted Eels members, fans and sponsors to know that I will be standing 100 per cent by my decision to make the move to Sydney," Norman wrote.

"Brisbane got me to where I am today, and for that the Broncos will always be special to me."

Broncos captain Sam Thaiday says it is ludicrous to suggest the job of Griffin is under pressure as coach and has urged fans to stress less.

"I don't know who's putting pressure on him but there's no pressure on him at all," he said.

"The club and the board have every bit of confidence in him. The players back him.